Travel Tools

Botswana has two distinct seasons:

The dry season, from June to October, day time temperatures sitting around 20 – 28 °C/68°F – 82° F and cold nights 0 – 8°C/32° F – 46°F.

The rainy season, from November to March, also referred to as the ‘green season.’

The best time to visit Botswana is generally between June and September: it is not raining, it is not too hot, the Delta waters are high, many animals have migrated to the river these are the coldest months of the year, the temperature is still comfortable for safari activities. During the day, temperatures sit 20 – 28°C /68°F – 82°, while at night or early mornings, temperatures can drop as low as 0 – 8°C/32° F – 46°F

October and November are is still excellent months to travel to Botswana, but it can be very hot (35 °C /95°F or more). Because of the heat, the landscapes dry out and the water surfaces, making it the best time for big game safaris

Safaris aficionados particularly appreciate the months of April and. These months are perfect for travelling because the skies are clear, ,it does not rain much, the temperatures are pleasant (warm days and cool nights), and the tariffs are lower. During these months, the waters from the distant highlands of Angola arrive in the Okavango Delta, and there are people along the Chobe River.

Kenya has 4 seasons:

During the hot season from December to February, temperatures can become stifling, especially on the coast. 30°C/86°F

During the dry season from June to October, there is literally no rain and the temperatures are pleasant (23°C/73°F) in most of the country. The game viewing is consistently excellent, and the wildebeest have made their way to the Masai Mara Reserve.

The dry season is also the high season for tourism; and destinations like the Masai Mara, Amboseli,  and Lake Nakuru can get a bit crowded.

The long rainy season is from March to May. It can be cold in the fields and rains are frequent, especially in April. In November and December, the short rainy season is very hot and precipitations occur for short periods.

Namibia’s climate is typical of a semi-desert: days are hot (20-24°C/68-75°F) and nights are generally cool (10°C/50°F), and the country is generally dry with very little rain. Except for the first few months of the year and a Namibian safari can be plan all year round. The cold Benguella current keeps the coast cool, damp and free of rain for most of the year. Inland, all the rain falls in summer (November to April 30°C/86°F). January and February are hot, when daytime temperatures in the interior can exceed 40ºC (104ºF), but nights are usually cool.

Between April and September, when temperatures are tolerably cool and comfortable, is a perfect time to visit, Windhoek, the areas surrounding Sossusvlei and the Koakoland. This is also the best time for game viewing in Etosha, as many animals gather at the waterholes to drink.

In short, the best time to visit Namibia depends on what you wish to do and see. Just pack accordingly.

Rwanda has an equatorial climate with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.

Long rainy season from March to May and short rainy season from October to November.

The first dry season is from June to September and second is from December to February.

The best time to go on a safari or on a Gorilla trek in Rwanda is during the dry season. In the rainforests, visitors venture out to track the primates in Volcanoes National Park and in the Nyungwe Forest and should still prepare themselves for possible wet weather

Since South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, it’s summer down here when it’s winter in Europe and North America. Summer begins in November and lasts till February, which if you think about it, makes this the ideal time to visit if you want to escape the cold weather.

Depending on where you’re visiting, the average day temperature in summer ranges from a minimum of 15°C ( 59°F) to a maximum of 28°C (82°F). In winter the average day temperatures are 19°C to 23°C (66°F to 73°F). Just ensure you have a jacket to put on as it can get chilly at night.

If you’re intending on going on a safari in Mpumalanga and Limpopo then the best time to visit would be in winter. Why? Because these two provinces are very pleasant as it’s sunny and warm during the day and dry and cool at night. Late winter is popular for game spotting because the vegetation is sparse and animals visit the waterholes to drink. Summer in the Lowveld can be extremely hot due to high humidity. Alternatively, you can go on a winter beach holiday in Durban or on the KwaZulu-Natal coast as average temperatures hover around the 26°C mark.

In Cape Town, the best time to visit is in spring and autumn, which is April and May or the beginning of September to October. Spring is particularly breathtaking as you’ll get to witness first-hand some of South Africa’s most beautiful indigenous flowers bloom. Autumn offers a relief from the summer heat while the vineyards of the Cape Winelands start to change colour. Winter in Cape Town is less attractive as it’s characterised by wet and windy spells when cold fronts pass through.

Seasonal highlights

The sardine run (May to July)

Aptly described as “The Greatest Shoal on Earth”, the sardine run takes place every South African winter when millions of small silvery sardines surge from the cold Cape waters up to the warmer sanctuary of the KwaZulu-Natal coast. The reason for this hasn’t been determined however there are many prominent theories that attempt to make sense of this phenomenon. Whatever the reason, it is quite the spectacle as the shoal is approximately 15km long, 4km wide and 40m deep. It’s a feeding frenzy for dolphins, sharks, seabirds and other marine life – making it a watching frenzy for people interesting in marine life.

Whale watching (May to November):

Every year, from late winter through to early summer, different breeds of whales migrate to mate and calve in sheltered bays off the Cape coast. One of the best places to see these majestic marine animals is from the coastal town of Hermanus. It’s well known for a reputation of offering the best shore-based whale watching in the world. When you do decide to go, make sure you have a fully charged camera as you might consider being a full-time photographer afterwards with a portfolio of stunning whale shots.

Namaqualand spring flowers (late July to October)

This dazzling display of spring flowers in an arid semi-desert area of the Northern Cape is regarded as one of the world’s most dramatic and vivid natural spectacles. Stretching 500km north up the Cape coast and 100km inland, carpets of the brilliant colour burst into vibrant life. You’ll find that over 4000 species of plants have been identified here, so you will be spoilt for choice.

The National Arts Festival (July)

One festival you should look forward to is the National Arts Festival. This festival takes place at the Eastern Cape’s cathedral and university city of Grahamstown. It has become one of the biggest annual celebrations of the arts in Africa. So if you make it, you’ll be surrounded by world-class dance, music, drama, film, jazz and visual arts.

The Comrades Marathon (June)

What started off as a tribute to South African soldiers who lost their lives during World War I has now become an event not to be missed in South Africa. The Comrades Marathon is a long-distance running race that has gained traction around the world. If you’re still not impressed, at around 90km long, it is one of the world’s oldest and longest ultramarathons.

The Cape Argus Pick ’n Pay Cycle Tour (March)

Billed as the world’s largest timed cycle race, this event attracts a field of around 35 000 cyclists. The vast majority are ordinary people who want to take on the challenge of cycling around one of the most beautiful peninsulas in the world.

Tanzania has 4 seasons:

During the hot season from December to February, temperatures can become stifling, especially on the coast. The Zebra and wildebeest calving season is during late January and February in the Southern Serengeti and in the Lake Ndutu Area. Appreciate, great herds of wildebeest across the endless plains that are, alive with wildlife and pumping with action

The long rainy season is from March to early May, when it can be cold in the fields and rain frequently, especially in April. During this month, the vast plains of the Serengeti become lush green, offering a feast for wildlife.This season has very little visitors and the lower rates.

During the dry season from May to October, there is literally no rain and the temperatures are pleasant (23°C/73°F). The game viewing is consistently excellent and, the wildebeest migration has made its way up  to the Northern Serengeti , by the Mara River, as the thousands of herds wait by the riverbank to cross the swirling waters.

The short rainy season takes place in November and December, months that are very hot (27°C/81°F and rains occur for short periods.

Uganda has two different climate zones.

Northern Uganda has a tropical climate that includes a rainy season and a dry season.
The rainy season is from April to October and the dry season is from November to March.

Southern Uganda has an equatorial climate with two rainy seasons (28°C/82°F during the day and 16°C/61°F at night) and two dry seasons. (27°C/81°F during the day and 16°C/61°F at night)

Long rainy season from March to May and short rainy season from October to November.
The First dry season is from June to September and second dry season is from December to February.

The dry seasons are the best time to go on a Gorilla trek and on a safari in Uganda.

In the rainforests, where the primate tracking is located (Bwindi and Kibale), visitors should still prepare themselves for possible wet weather.

Zambia has two distinct seasons:

Tthe most popular time to visit Zambia is during the dry season from May to October. , Usually, at this time of the year, the vegetation has thinned out, making game more visible. These months bring the coldest temperatures of the year, however they are still comfortable for safari activities with day time temperatures sitting around 20 – 28 °C 68°F – 82° F and nights and early mornings dropping between  0 – 8 °C /32° F – 46°F. The best time for big game safaris is in October, but it can be very hot. The rising temperature dries out the landscapes and surfaces the water, resulting in game drives around permanent water sources

The wet season, also called “the green season” is from November to April:. Since the grass is longer and the vegetation is thicker, game viewing can be challenging and more spread out due to the availability of surface water. During the rainy season, some lodges and camps are closed due to flooding.

Victoria Falls, Zambia & Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls, one of the “8 Natural Wonders” of the world, is situated on the Zambezi River, between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Throughout the year, water levels of the Zambezi River fluctuates, causing high and low water periods.

The “‘high water” period’ occurs between February and July, with higher peaks between March and April. Duringthese months, when the Zambezi River’s water level rises by one meter, this creates a 5-meter water level increase that flows through the gorge.. The splashes are dense, drenching, and create thick  rainbows – a fantastic sight when viewed from the air.

The “‘low water”’ period runs between August and January, with the absolute lowest water levels between November and early December. During this period, there are only small splashes, but visitors are able to fully appreciate the falls’ geological formation.  . When the water levels in the gorge are low, the Zambezi River offers one of the best white water rafting experiences in the world. During the low water period, you can appreciate the falls better from the Zimbabwean side

Zimbabwe has two distinct seasons:

The most popular time to visit Zimbabwe is during the dry season from May to October. Usually, at this time of the year, the vegetation has thinned out, making game more visible. These months bring the coldest temperatures of the year, however they are still comfortable for safari activities with day time temperatures sitting around 20 – 28 °C/ 68°F – 82° F

In the highlands, like in Hwange, between May and July, the nights are cold 0 – 8°C/32° F – 46°F. The best time for big game safaris is in October, but it can be very hot. The rising temperature dries out the landscapes and surfaces the water, resulting in game drives around permanent water sources.

The wet season, also called “the green season” is from November to April: Since the grass is longer and the vegetation is thicker, game viewing can be challenging and more spread out due to the availability of surface water. During this season, Hwange can be very interesting, but the parks in Northern Zimbabwe are closed.

Victoria Falls, Zambia & Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls, one of the “8 Natural Wonders” of the world, is “situated on the Zambezi River, between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Throughout the year, the water level of the Zambezi River fluctuates, causing high and low water periods.

The “‘high water” period’ occurs between February and July, with higher peaks between March and April. During these months, when the Zambezi River’s water level rises by one meter, this creates a 5-meter water level increase that flows through the gorge.. The splashes are dense, drenching, and create thick rainbows – a fantastic sight when viewed from the air.

The “‘low water”’ period runs between August and January, with the absolute lowest water levels between November and early December. During this period, there are only small splashes, but visitors are able to fully appreciate the falls’ geological formation.  . When the water levels in the gorge are low, the Zambezi River offers one of the best white water rafting experiences in the world. During the low water period, you can appreciate the falls better from the Zimbabwean side.

Because the Galápagos Islands are located on the equator, it is a true year- round destination with seasonal temperatures that vary slightly. The best time to go depends on your schedule. The islands have a subtropical climate regulated by the Humboldt Current (cold) and the El Niño current (warm).

December through May is the warmest time of year, with highs around 25-30°C/ 77°F  – 86°F. You will spend almost your entire trip under blue skies and sunshine, with occasional haze.  The sea is at its warmest and is usually calmer at this time of year.

The drier (garua) season lasts from June through November. The garua is a mist that forms in the islands’ highlands. Ironically, the garua season provides more moisture in the islands’ upper elevations than during the so-called wet season. There is plenty of sunshine during the day, but it is less intense, with cloudier skies. The air temperature is lower, with highs can reach 25-30 °C / 77-86°F. During this time of the year, tThe strong Antarctic Humboldt current that comes, from the south, affects the climate. Therefore, the water temperature, t, is at its coldest (about 20°C/68°F).

The best time to visit Guatemala is during the dry season from October to May:

The mild temperatures and clear days are ideal to travel and hike in the highlands. Around key travel times like (Christmas, New Year, and Easter,) hotel prices can be at their highest. Accommodation should be booked well in advance for Easter in Antigua.

The dry season is from April to September. Daily afternoon rains can make traveling chilly in the highlands and muddy in the jungle. During this season, prices drop, crowds thin out at archaeological sites, and booking accommodations is rarely necessary.

The best time to go to the south of Peru is during the dry season from May to September since the climate is, generally mild and dry, making it ideal for treks. It is still a good option to travel during the mid-season (April, May, October, November), especially since there are fewer visitors; although you may have intermittent rainfalls.as In July and August. Lake Titicaca and the Puno region can be cold.

Between December and February, it is the rainy season in the highlands, therefore Cuzco and Machu Picchu may be covered by haze. Note that the Inca Trail is closed in February for its annual maintenance. During these months, international and local tourists travel along the Pacific coast where the weather is humid and temperatures range between 25 and 30°C / 77 and 86°F